‘It’s shocking to see a dentist giving training for derma procedures’

In the last 10 months of his heading Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologits and Leprologists (IADVL), Dr Ramesh Bhat has taken up various contentious issues head on and also focused on promoting Indian dermatology worldwide in its specialty of Vitiligo. IADVL is the world’s second largest derma association with 11,000 members and second only to the US. TOI spoke to Dr Bhat who shared his experiences. Excerpts...
What are biggest concerns at the national level with regards to your members?

Our biggest challenge is tackling quacks. So many people are now getting into the business of performing dermatology procedures even though they are medically unqualified for that. Last year, we started Indian Taskforce Against Quackery (ITAQ) to expose such practitioners. Also, we have to focus on how to handle fungal epidemic in India.

Who are these people and how are they able to attract consumers/patients?

You can find beauty parlours doing procedures like chemical skin peel etc. These are derma procedures which are simply not allowed as these people are not medically qualified to do it. It is dangerous for the person on whom it is being done, but they get mislead. Also, we have seen non-dermatologists giving training on cosmetology and facial aesthetics. It’s shocking to see a dentist giving training for derma procedures.

IADVL has also raised objections to certain skin creams.

Yes, and we have written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about it. The issue is that certain skin creams are using combination of anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and steroids. Some have a four-pronged combo, some even five. Using steroids in such a haphazardous way is detrimental to patients in the long run. Skin creams are there for diseased skin, not desired skin. The government has already put some of them under Schedule H (can’t be sold without prescription), and we are now demanding that its manufacturing be stopped.

India is now a leader in Vitiligo treatment (white patches in skin).

Yes, and the situation is that we are now showing the world how to treat Vitiligo. In a few months, our teams will be going to UAE for an international conference and they will present the latest techniques and surgical practices for treating Vitiligo.